Lopez lauded on mine closure; Mining firms seek due process

DAVAO CITY – Environmentalists here praised environment and natural resources Secretary Regina Lopez for the closure of 23 mining operations and the cancellation of 75 existing mineral production sharing agreements (MPAs) within watershed areas, a move described as “long overdue” since the environment has long been degraded by unregulated mining activities.

Meantime, the Alliance of Responsible Miners of Region 11 (ARMOR) appealed to President Duterte to grant the affected mining firms due process with regard to closure orders and cancellation of the mineral production sharing agreements (MPAs) within the watershed areas by Lopez.

‘About time’ Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) acting executive director Chinkie T. Pelino-Golle said Lopez and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) must be commended for its bold decision against several mining companies whose unregulated mining activities caused the devastation of the environment.

“It is a long overdue action since the environment has already been devastated by the unregulated mining activities. Local communities have long been suffering from the destructions and continue to suffer from poverty,” she said.

Biodeversity damage She added that the mining companies have failed to deliver on their promise of development to the communities and even caused violations to environmental and social justice, citing how the mining operations affect6ed the country’s biodiversity.

“The biodiversity, supposedly, will support the needs of the people to survive and will ensure a balanced environment. But with the mining operations, biodiversity are also gone and so the benefits they give,” she said.

Rehab efforts She also called on DENR, local government units (LGUs), and miningaffected communities to work together to rehabilitate the mined areas.

“Let us give DENR and this government, a chance, to uphold environmental and social justice,” she said.

Deadly crusade

Dr. Jean Lindo, an environmental activist from the Panalipdan Mindanao, claimed there were anti-mining activists killed in the crusade against operations of the mining companies in their communities.

“These communities have remained poor despite the mining operations. The rivers and coastal areas are very important source of water and food. They suffer food insecurity and health problems. How could we consider this responsible mining?” she said.

‘Environment first’ Mylai Santos, director of Ecoteneo Division of the Ateneo de Davao University, echoed the same support for Lopez by saying it was high time that the stakeholders put the environmental and people’s general welfare at the forefront of the development.

A DENR press release issued on Tuesday quoted Lopez as saying that her decision is backed by the provisions of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 that gives her the power to regulate and make decisions pertaining to watersheds and even cited the Forestry Code, which “mandates that surface mined areas should be brought back to its natural state.”

Due process Rodulfo Palma, president of the Alliance of Responsible Miners of Region (ARMOR) 11, expressed dismay over the actions taken by the environment chief against several mining companies.

“It’s not even a usual Valentine’s gift for all the communities, specifically members of the host communities of the mining companies,” he said.

He said that mining companies would like to know the basis for the environment chief’s decision.

“You cannot just simply cancel an agreement if you are going to use as basis, one that is not provided for by the law, otherwise we should forget the sanctity of contracts,” he said.

Rody’s decision “Whatever will be the decision, the mining companies have the option to appeal that to the Office of the President. Unless, the President decided on the issue, the mining companies can continue with the operation,” he said.

Mining firms’ take He said that the mining companies will take appropriate actions after they receive the show cause orders to allow them to respond within seven days “why their MPSAs should not be cancelled for threatening watersheds, which are a major source of drinking and recreational water for many communities.”

“For mining companies, what we are waiting for is the serving of the notices so that the mining companies can also evaluate and know the specific basis for the cancellation or issuance of such order without which, the mining companies would be in limbo on what to do,” he said.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 11 director Wilfredo G. Moncano said Lopez’ decision is not only killing the mining industry but also veering away from President Duterte’s promise of industrialization.

“It’s a sad day because if we follow the statement or pronouncement of president when he assumed office that the direction of the country is for industrialization. Now what will happen to that direction if the mining industry is slowly being killed.” He stressed.

“The mining industry for that matter is an important component of industrialization. We want to produce our own steel products, we need to have mines operating to feed to these steel manufacturing companies. It will really be a direction that is contradicting to the direction of a president,” he added.

He pointed out that nine out of 75 MPSAs are in Davao Region – four in Compostela Valley (Kingking Mining Corp., Alsons Development and Investment Co., Inc., King Eagle Exploration and Mining Corporation, Napnapan Mineral Resources, Inc.) and five in Davao Oriental (Dabawenyos Minerals Corporation, Phil. Youbang Mining International Corp., Sinophil Mining and Trading Corporation, Core Mining Corporation, Oro-East Mining Company, Inc.)

Economic impact He said that about 400 direct workers will be displaced by the closure order but he added mining companies will suffer from major losses in terms of future investments.

“If they proceed with the cancellation, it will result in the loss of taxes, loss of royalties, loss of real property taxes, loss of employment, loss of social development and management program for the communities, and of course, the aspiring professionals. All of these will be lost,” he said.